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2008 tOSU Defensive Line Discussion

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Here is Heacock's say:

"I read and hear a lot about our inside guys and not getting many (sacks), but if you look the years, inside guys aren't going to get as many as outside guys. That's a fact. Whether we want to believe it or not, that's the truth.

"For these guys, because they heard so much negative about their sack production, you can look back over the years and look back at the Ryan Picketts of the world, how many sacks did he have when he played? [He had eight in 37 career games, three in his final year.] And he was a first-round draft choice. And you go on and on.

"In our defensive scheme, we really try to control the line of scrimmage and let our linebackers run. We ask our defensive line to do a good job of keeping people off the linebackers and let them run, and that's what we've been good at. Sometimes that doesn't equate to great pass rush. I think they're going to be better there ... I know they're going to be better there this year."
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Well pass rush aside, by his own definition they played poorly last year then because every game where someone was able to run on us(PSU, ILL, LSU) it was because they got linemen out on JL, who unfortunately isn't great at shedding blocks imo. So this one weak area snowballs into a big problem against the better teams.

I'm really glad to hear the positive reviews from camp. We get dominant DL play and the sky's the limit.
 
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Dispatch

Yeah, it matters

The Buckeyes rotated their defensive tackles constantly last year, and are likely to do so again.
One of those, Dexter Larimore, was asked if it mattered who started. He gave the company line: "It's almost not a factor who starts the game; we rotate so much, it almost doesn't matter."

Cont..
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CFN Unit rankings.

cfn

1. LSU
2. Ga. Tech
3. USC
7. Penn St.
8. TSUN
12. tOSU
16. Illinois
17. Iowa

1. LSUWhat's the difference between the SEC and the rest of the world? Defensive linemen like LSU's. The Tiger projected starting front four checks in at 291, 293, 281 and 252 pounds and all can move like linebackers. The projected second teamers go 282, 316, 302 and 254 pounds. The two-deep averages 284 pounds per man. Glenn Dorsey might be gone, but if Ricky Jean-Francois is half as good as expected, and if Charles Alexander's knee is healthy, the tackles will form a brick wall. Tyson Jackson is in a salary drive at one end, and could make himself into a top ten pick with a double-digit sack season, while Kirston Pittman is a terror on the right side. The second teamers would start at about 100 other places.

2. Georgia Tech

3. USC
Sedrick Ellis and Lawrence Jackson were two of the first 28 picks in April's draft, yet the Trojans are going to be more than fine up front. Fili Moala and Everson Griffen are the new headliners of a front wall that?ll rely on a deeper group of players this fall. The Trojans are so quick and strong up front, opposing backs are rarely able to get to the second level. Of course, not that things get any easier there. Moala is going to make himself plenty of money this fall, and Griffen and Kyle Moore are big enough on the outside to be valuable assets in run support.​



Cont'd ...​
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As the season approaches, I am getting really excited to see what this D-Line can do. As many people have pointed out, one of the biggest keys to improvement on defense this year is going to be the improvement of the defensive line. I really think that huge improvement along the entire defensive line is possible this year, despite the loss of Gholston. Last year the line was a young group with a lot of potential that got pushed around at times. This year they are more experienced across the board and the rotation that they will be able to cycle through is going to be a major advantage.

One thing that is going to be a big improvement over last year is the development of Abdallah at tackle, he is a big body that can plug up holes, something that I think was missing a little bit last year. Abdallah got significant play time last year, and if he continues to play well and improve I think he will be a huge part of the success of our defense, especially in the role of taking up blockers to free our linebackers to make plays. The fact that he is listed as the starter on the YSU depth chart is highly encouraging (even if it is partly due to Worthington being punished).

I always hoped that Denlinger would be the next Pitcock at tackle, so far he hasn't quite lived up to those lofty standards, but he has the tools to dominate, and with a year of experience under his belt you can't expect anything but improvement from him. Larimore and Worthington provide tremendous depth at tackle, and having a solid rotation of four guys, all seasoned veterans at this point, is going to be a major advantage for us.

In addition to our tackles, we've got tremendous speed off the edge as well. Gibson seems to be really coming on strong (the quickness that he got off the ball at the night practice was amazing) and Solomon Thomas seems to be making waves in practice as well as a pass rusher. While our rush ends are probably the youngest and least experienced group of d lineman, I don't think that will be a negative, as they can come in during strictly passing situations and really go after the quarterbacks without worrying too much about run responsibilities.

The speed we have off the edge combined with the power and versatility that Heyward and Rose bring to the table, being able to play inside or on the edge, is exciting and going to be fun to watch how the coaches mix and match the players for certain situations.

And of course Wilson is primed to have a huge season as well and could possibly be the best of the bunch along the line.

Throw in Curtis Terry and his experience, power, and speed and who knows what he will be able to do this year at end.

I just can't wait to see them all in action, for teams like YSU I almost feel sorry for the guys trying to block our lineman with all of the versatility and depth we bring to the table, but hopefully our guys can hang with the big boys at USC and really dominate against top notch competition as well. If that happens, our defense could go down as one of the best ever. It all starts on the line, and like I said, I am really excited to see what these guys can do.
 
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OregonBuckeye;1239077; said:
Thought it was interesting that Tressel said Keith Wells was likely to play and Nate Williams might too but Goebel likely won't. I guess the coaches like our depth at DT a lot more than DE.
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Could be but my guess is that it's just a matter of seniority. Denlinger and Worthington are juniors, Abdallah a senior, Dex a RS sophmore, and Rose is a RS sophmore. With some guys graduating sooner at DT than our guys at DE, maybe we just want to be able to get some younger DE's in earlier. Mobley, Goebel, and Rowell (if he makes it in) should get to play fairly early with a RS year. Then again, one might think we should get those younger fella's in at DT since we have so many upperclassmen at DT.
 
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OregonBuckeye;1239077; said:
Thought it was interesting that Tressel said Keith Wells was likely to play and Nate Williams might too but Goebel likely won't. I guess the coaches like our depth at DT a lot more than DE.
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Although Goebel is unlikely to play, the transcript of the press conference doesn't show Tressel saying that. DTs have trouble getting on the field early for the same reasons as the OL, their body strength and technique just isn't there. Our current top four DTs have all redshirted. That said, I do expect Goebel to get decent PT next year and be a starter his sophomore year.
 
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Tresselbeliever;1239464; said:
Although Goebel is unlikely to play, the transcript of the press conference doesn't show Tressel saying that. DTs have trouble getting on the field early for the same reasons as the OL, their body strength and technique just isn't there. Our current top four DTs have all redshirted. That said, I do expect Goebel to get decent PT next year and be a starter his sophomore year.
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Heacock said it's unlikely he makes the rotation. The writing's on the wall. Goebel is a almost a sure bet to redshirt barring injuries. And with everyone but Abdallah returning, it's unlikely he starts next year.
 
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Goebel redshirting

Tresselbeliever;1239464; said:
Although Goebel is unlikely to play, the transcript of the press conference doesn't show Tressel saying that. DTs have trouble getting on the field early for the same reasons as the OL, their body strength and technique just isn't there. Our current top four DTs have all redshirted. That said, I do expect Goebel to get decent PT next year and be a starter his sophomore year.
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I believe that Goebel redshirting will ultimately benefit the team as well as Goebel's career @:osu:
 
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Dispatch

College football
D-line hasn't hit its stride
OSU's tackles for loss, sacks are down from the past few seasons

Saturday, October 11, 2008 3:35 AM
By Ken Gordon


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
http://www.dispatch.com/gameday

At the snap, the Wisconsin offensive line surged forward, neatly blocking three of Ohio State's four defensive linemen. Two Badgers shot through to block the linebackers.
Defensive end Cameron Heyward, the only Buckeye left alone, lunged at running back John Clay but missed. Clay scooted for 11 yards and a first down.
Three plays later, Wisconsin quarterback Allan Evridge faked a handoff, rolled right and had plenty of time to wait for tight end Mickey Turner to work free on a crossing pattern. The two connected for a touchdown.
Those two plays from last week's game sum up the shortcomings of OSU's defensive line this season.

Continued..............
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From the article above

The Buckeyes are last in the Big Ten in sacks per game (1.5) and tackles for loss (4.5). At their current pace, they will have fewer than half the sacks they had in 2007, and they are giving up 50 percent more yards per carry.
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Uggghh, that is not good at all!
 
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